Location: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Washington, D.C.

Reports to: Senior Director, Policy Communications

General Responsibilities:

Effectively employ communication strategies to increase visibility and grassroots activity for NCBA’s federal policy agenda. Build awareness of NCBA’s value among its beef producer members, translating key issues and “wins” in the broadcast, print and digital trade and political media. Serve as a resource to state affiliates as needed. 

Specific Responsibilities:

• Positively position NCBA and its activities in national, state, local and agricultural trade media to increase communication opportunities. Regularly develop and distribute compelling print, audio and video news to ensure NCBA is viewed the primary source, disseminator and conduit of information for the beef industry.
• Proactively seek opportunities to share NCBA messaging with stakeholders and other individuals to help drive the association’s value proposition, with the ultimate goal of increasing NCBA membership.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with congressional press staff to ensure members of Congress have accurate information about the beef industry. Leverage Hill staff relationships to further NCBA policy efforts while also helping to amplify the efforts of elected officials on issues that impact cattle producers.
• Work closely policy team to help develop strategic lobby and communications plans for each issue. Includes, but not limited to, development of talking points, lobby materials for the Hill, website content, editorial timelines, articles and op-eds. Additionally, the associate director will develop accurate and timely information to keep key stakeholders informed of, and engaged with, critical policy issues.
• Develop and implement a grassroots policy advocate program. Engage NCBA members to help promote policy agenda and engage in public advocacy.
• Develop and counsel NCBA volunteers, spokespeople and staff on policy talking points to ensure each is able to effectively communicate complex policy to diverse audiences.
• Responsible for frequent writing, editing and dissemination of articles and press releases related to policy and organizational topics.
• Regularly contributes print, audio, video and social media content to NCBA media properties. 
• Proactively engage the media with story ideas and leads, assist with responses to incoming media requests, scheduling interviews and conducting follow-up discussions as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Candidates for the Associate Director, Communications position must be able to assist with the development and execution of complex communications strategy to assist with furthering NCBA’s policy agenda. Applicants should possess strong writing and editing skills. Candidates should have a minimum of 2-3 years of experience in the field of communications, preferably with a background in agriculture and public policy. Successful candidates will be self-starting with the ability to deliver high-quality results with limited supervision. Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, public relations or communications is required. Existing relationships on Capitol Hill or with agricultural and/or national media are a plus.